Jersey City NJ vs Seattle WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.5 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 19.9% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 21.4% | 6.6% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 17.2% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 8.2% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $871,599 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 383 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3409 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 15.3% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.0% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Jersey City, NJ vs New York, NYJersey City, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jersey City, NJHouston, TX vs Jersey City, NJJersey City, NJ vs Phoenix, AZJersey City, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA